Christmas

Who doesn’t love the country during a glorious British winter? From the Boxing Day meet, to the family shoot, festive food, drink, history and country life. The Field is the best place for a country Christmas. And a subscription to The Field is the perfect present.

Every year The Field delivers two dollops of festive tradition, the December bumper issue, and the January issue. They are packed with everything you need for a thoroughly British celebration, from traditional fieldsports to traditional food, traditional country pastimes and beautiful images from the best photographers. History, tradition, fieldsports, field life…The Field at Christmas has a place in every country house.In fact The Field, established in 1853, just as Charles Dickens’ was inventing Christmas as we know it, is as much a part of British country traditions as trees, carol singers, hot punch, hunting, shooting and merriment.

We wish you a Merry, Field Christmas.

Spiced apple and cider fruit cake

If you would like to use an English brandy instead I highly recommend the Somerset Cider Brandy Company, which also makes super cider under the Burrow Hill label. My other cider picks include Worleys (Somerset), Butford Organics (Hereford) and Cranborne Chase (Dorset). Much like a classic tea bread, this cake…

The best Christmas crackers Nothing encapsulates the jollity of the festive period quite like Christmas crackers: the silly hats, often sillier jokes and the keepsakes hidden inside. Here, The Field rounds up the most luxurious, stylish and fun. (Read our piece on the history of Christmas crackers.) Been invited to…

pigeon and cranberry terrine with cointreau and hazelnuts

Recipe for pigeon and cranberry terrine with cointreau and hazelnuts Ingredients 80g dried cranberries 50ml Cointreau 4 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 300g shallots, peeled and finely sliced 8 pigeon breasts, skin off and cut into 1cm-thick strips 80g hazelnuts, roughly chopped 60g fresh white breadcrumbs 15g parsley, finely…

port and cheese

Six of the best ports chosen by Jonathan Ray Croft Pink Port (£12.75 per 50cl) The Whisky Exchange No, don’t laugh: pink port is light, fresh, vibrant and gloriously tasty served chilled. Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port (£14.50 per 75cl) Waitrose The original white port, sublime when served with tonic,…

Three gingham stockings hanging by the fire

Sometimes the most appreciated, useful or just plain fun gifts are not the most expensive. If you’re looking for inspiration, The Field‘s guide to the best Christmas presents under £50 is here. You might also find our Christmas gift guide for men handy and our full Christmas gift guide. The…

carving chicken

At a time when the main food source was derived from anything that swam, ran or flew, the art of carving and how to carve meat was elevated to become part of the code of chivalry, with a language as complicated as that of hawking. Every species of fur, fish…

Christmas sitting room in country

Father Christmas may have his elves on hand but for us mere mortals, Christmas can become quite the festive frenzy. With presents to buy, cards to send and a festive feast to plan, shortcuts and simple methods are absolutely necessary. Fortunately, The Field has the answer to every Christmassy question.…

Best turnip recipes pudding

Even Agatha Christie’s most diehard fans would not claim that the title tale of the short-story collection she published in 1960 is her finest mystery. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding does, however, contain her most delightful description of a dessert. Sitting down to Christmas dinner, Hercule Poirot is confronted…